Motor Expo 2026

The Department of Land Transport warns! Every time you buy/sell a car, do not use an open transfer. You should proceed with the registration transfer in person to verify accuracy, as modern technology allows for real-time, 24-hour verification of vehicle registration databases with government agencies via a Web Service system, which is a nationwide standard.

Those who wish to buy or sell used cars, whether buying from an individual or a used car dealership, should proceed with the registration transfer in person and bring the vehicle for inspection at the Department of Land Transport office where the car is registered. This is to ensure that the change of vehicle owner's name has been duly reported in the vehicle registration database with the Department of Land Transport. Cars should not be bought or sold using the open transfer method, where documents are signed and then processed later, as this may cause problems for both buyers and sellers. For example, if the buyer fails to pay the annual vehicle tax, the car is involved in an accident, or the car is used to commit illegal acts, the name of the original owner will still appear in the registration system, creating difficulties for them. Moreover, not bringing the car for registration transfer means the buyer cannot fully verify the car's authenticity, including whether it has been stolen.

In cases where vehicle registration information on a ticket does not match the current vehicle owner's information, this may result from a sale that was not officially registered but was merely an open transfer where the request to correctly change essential registration details with the Department of Land Transport was not submitted. Therefore, the public is urged to prioritize protecting their own rights by inspecting the car before every purchase or sale. It is recommended to check the car's origin along with supporting information before making a decision. 

Since July 31, 2017, the Department of Land Transport has further developed its information technology system to access its vehicle registration database using the MDM (Master Data Management) database system, which is clear, accurate, verifiable, and standardized nationwide. When essential vehicle registration details are amended, the system will immediately amend and change the name of the vehicle owner upon receiving the amendment information. Furthermore, it links online simultaneously nationwide across all work systems, with supporting documents for every instance of essential vehicle registration detail amendment.

Therefore, the name of the vehicle owner appearing in the system matches what is stated in the vehicle registration book. If the Royal Thai Police wish to utilize this vehicle registration database, they can directly check vehicle registration information with the Department of Land Transport's MDM (Master Data Management) database online, real-time, 24 hours a day via a Web Service system. This displays up-to-date vehicle registration details and essential information, just as the Department of Land Transport uses it for registration procedures for the public. The Department of Land Transport has coordinated with the Royal Thai Police to further utilize this up-to-date vehicle registration database for official purposes.

For more information, contact: Department of Land Transport